Bridle bit



Aug 1, 1950 J. M. o'DoNNELL 2,517,338

BRIDLE BIT Filed Oct. l0, 1946 Patented Aug. l, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE Bit-IDLE BIT .laines Martin Donne'll, Forest, Calif. ,epplicatiunoetober 1o, i946, semi No. 'masas T3 claims. (etti- 7) V My present invention relates to animproved bridle bit of the type especially adapted for use in training young horses or unbroken horses in such a manner as to effect a means of training which will effectively teach the horse the expected movement and to accomplish such purpose with the least possible damage to the horse.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention according to the best mode I have thus far devised but it will be under- Stood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplied structure within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the bridle bit of my invention; and

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof partially in section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to show the construction of the upper hinge.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters indicate like parts, I have illustrated the present embodiment of my invention as comprising the side bars 2, U-shaped in side elevation and having rein-securing eyes formed at the lower ends thereof. Lugs 8 are formed on the side bars 2 and extend inwardly therefrom, at points adjacent to the rein securing eyes 4, the lugs having openings in which the connecting strap 6 extends, whereby the lower ends of the side bars 2 are held against outward movement, with respect to each other. A buckle II) is connected with the strap 6 and affords means whereby the length of the strap may be adjusted to vary the normal distance between the bars 2.

The mouthpiece comprises the bit bar I2 formed with a central offset or curb mouthpiece III, the ends of the bit bar extending through the elongated openings I6 formed in the enlarged upper ends of the side bars 2, as clearly shown by Fig. 2 of the drawing. Guard discs I5 are positioned on the bit bar I2 and overlie the elongated openings I6 at the points Where the bit bar passes through the openings, thereby guarding the corners of the mouth of the horse wearing the bit,

against being pinched, when the side bars pivot with respect to the bit.

As shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing, the upper ends 22 of the bars 2 are enlarged and are substantially clover-shaped, presenting openings 24. Secured to the outer surfaces of the bars 2 at the upper ends thereof, are blocks I8 which are provided with elongated openings II through which the ends of the bit bar I2 also extend, the ends of the bit bar terminating in spaced relation with the outer surfaces of the blocks I8, as shown 55 by Fig. 2. Extending across the openings il of the blocks Iii, are pivot pins 29 which pass through openings formed in the bit bar, pivctaily connecting the side bars 2 `tothe bit bar tso that pivotal movement of the side bars with respect to the bit bar or vice versa, may be permitted..

The reference character i' indicates arms that extend laterally `from the ends of the bit bar I 2; the arms 23 having openings in which the ends of the chin strap 23 are secured, the chin strap moving to direct pressure `on the chin ofthe animal, as the lower ends of the side bars are pulled upwardly. The chin strap is also supplied with a suitable buckle, whereby the chin strap may be adjusted.

The blocks I8 are provided with openings in the opposite side edges thereof, which openings accommodate the reduced ends I9' of the clovershaped ring members I9, so that the ring members i9 are free to pivot over the enlarged upper ends of the bars 2. The clover shape of these ring members I9 is for the purpose of permitting the rings to swing over the irregularly shaped upper ends of the bars 2, the curved portions of the i ring members accommodating the head straps of the bridle, which are not shown in the present disclosure.

Because of the construction of the ring members I9 and enlarged upper ends of the bars 2, it is possible to pass the head straps of a bridle through the openings 24 and around the ring members should it be desired to provide a more rigid structure at this point of the bit, or the head straps may be connected directly to the ring members i 9 independently of the ends 22, providinga much lmore ilexible bridle for curbing wild horses.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the side bars 2 may be drawn inwardly to clamp the sides of the mouth at the chin of the horse, should it be desired to curb the horse. It will also be seen that this pivotal movement will be made with respect to the bit bar I2, when one rein only is pulled and that the bit bar I2 may swing to an angular position within the side bars to increase the pressure on one side of the jaw of the animal by a pivotal movement of the side bar.

It might be further stated that the relationship between the side bars 2 and bit bars I2 is such that the bars 2 will assume their normal parallel positions, after the reins are slackened by the rider.

What is claimed is:

1. A bridle bit comprising a pair of side bars having elongated openings, blocks secured to the outer Surfaces of the side bars at points adjacent to the upper ends thereof, said blocks having elongated openings aligning with the elongated openings of the side bars, a bit bar extend ing through the openings of the side bars and blocks, pins secured within the blocks and on which said bit bar is pivotally mounted, ring members secured to the blocks and to which the head straps of a bridle are connected, the ends of said bit bar terminating in spaced relation with the blocks, arms having openings, secured to the ends of the bit bar, a chin strap secured within the openings of the arms, a strap connecting the lower ends of said side bars, and said bars having rein eye members at the lower ends thereof in which bridle reins are secured.

2. A bridle bit comprising a pair of U-shaped side bars, the upper ends of the side bars having elongated openings, blocks having elongated openings, secured to the outer surfaces of the side bars, the elongated openings of the blocks registering with the elongated openings of the side bars, a bit having its ends disposed within the openings of the side bars and blocks, means for pivotally mounting the bit within the blocks, rings pivotally mounted on the blocks and to which the head straps of a bridle are secured, laterally extended arms secured to the outer ends of the bit bar, said arms having openings, a chin curb strap extending through the openings of the arms for directing pressure on the chin 4 of the horse when the lower ends of the side bars are pulled upwardly, a strap connecting the lower ends of the side bars, and said side bars having rein-securing eyes at their lower ends through which the reins of the bridle are extended and secured.

3. A bridle bit comprising a pair of U-shaped side bars the upper and lower ends of the side bars being in alignment, the upper ends of said side bars having elongated openings, blocks secured to the outer surfaces of the side bars and having elongated openings registering with the elongated openings of the side bars, a curb bit bar connecting the side bars, pivot pins Within the openings of the blocks, said pivot pins passing through openings of the bit bar pivotally connecting the bit bar and side bars, arms extending laterally from the ends of the bit bar, said arms having openings, a curb chin strap secured within the openings, pivoted links mounted on the blocks to which the head straps of a bridle are connected, the lower ends of the side bars having rein-securing eyes in which the reins of a bridle are connected, and a strap connecting the lower ends of the side bars restricting outward movement of said lower` ends of the side bars with respect to each other.

JAMES MARTIN ODONNELL.

No references cited. 

